Each year at Homecoming, FPD recognizes two outstanding individuals to honor as the Distinguished Alumni Award recipient and the FPD Service Award recipient. The Distinguished Alumni Award goes to an alumnus or alumna who has demonstrated outstanding personal or professional achievements to the glory of God. The FPD Service Award goes to an individual who has shown continued service and support to First Presbyterian Day School. Both honorees are recognized at FPD’s Homecoming Alumni Dinner.
This year’s Distinguished Alumni Award goes to John Hall, Class of 1982.
John Hall graduated from the University of Georgia in 1986 with a Bachelor of Business degree, with a major in finance. After 23 years of serving in the banking industry in Atlanta, John moved back to his hometown of Macon in October of 2009 to join American Pride Bank as President and Chief Executive Officer.
As an active leader in many local organizations, John strongly believes in giving back to his community. Since being back in Macon, John has served on the board of the Grand Opera House as well as Campus Clubs, previously as chairman. He currently serves on the board of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce as Vice Chairman of Workforce Development and Education. He is a member and past chairman of BOLD (a business leader group); he is Chairman of the Board of the Georgia Bankers Association and serves on its Community Bank Committee. John is also on the board of Idle Hour Country Club, where he serves as treasurer. John was past chairman of the Middle Georgia Military Affairs Committee and was the Honorary Commander for two of the base commanders at Robins Air Force Base. He is an alumnus of Leadership Macon 2011, a member of the Macon Civic Club, and is an active member of Turning Point at Mabel White Baptist Church and the Allen Life Group.
John is married to his high school sweetheart, Stephanie, and they have three children, two of whom are also FPD alumni, Blake (’16) and Katy (’13).
This year’s FPD Service Award goes to Ken Smith.
Mr. Smith, lovingly known as “Big Ken,” has been a part of the FPD family for decades. He worked his entire life for others, serving the Lord with his time and gifts. He believes in giving, because God gives to us.
His love and devotion to FPD are evident. As the owner of Bibb Home Improvement and BHI Construction, Mr. Smith led the construction of several buildings on FPD’s campus. As a devoted FPD parent, he radiated a sense of warmth and love volunteering at countless athletic events, field trips, Fall Festivals, and Field Days. He even constructed a life-size Flintstone car for a skit in the 90s, which still proudly hangs from the ceiling in his warehouse. Mr. Smith also served on FPD’s Board of Trustees, and he and his wife, Laurie, both served on the VPAs (formerly VIPs) as president.
Mr. Smith’s son, Ken Smith Jr., writes, “If you want to know about Big Ken, don’t ask him. He will find ways to tell you about his mentors, his leaders, and his family. He will tell you about those who showed him the value of hard work, dedication, loyalty, and Agape love. If you listen, you can hear about what he believes in, but the stories he tells are about others, not himself.”